Sunday, December 13, 2015

Rejoice in the Lord

3rd Sunday
of Advent

In earlier times the third
Sunday in Advent was known as "Gaudete Sunday" because the entrance
prayer or "Introit" began with the Latin words, "gaudete in
domino semper." Translated the phrase means "rejoice in the Lord
always." Today, as it has always done, the Church injects an element of
joy into the penitential season of Advent. In many churches the priest will put
aside the purple vestments that signify sorrow and penance, and put on rose
colored vestments, a symbol of joy. The Church is asking us to look ahead to
the glory of the coming of the Savior on Christmas.

In this liturgical year the
first reading for each of the Sundays in Advent is taken from a different
Hebrew prophet. Two weeks ago it was Isaiah and last week it was the somewhat
lesser known Baruch. Today, the reading is from the prophet Zephaniah. It is
common for us to think of a prophet as someone who foretells the future but
usually the Hebrew prophets just talk about their own time, especially its
problems. No prophet deals with problems more than Zephaniah but in today’s
reading he sings a different song.

Shout
for joy, O daughter Zion!

Sing
joyfully, O Israel!

Be
glad and exult with all your heart,

O
daughter Jerusalem!

Despite all their problems,
there is reason for this joy. “The Lord is in your midst,” he says. He repeats
it again, “The Lord is in your midst.” Zephaniah was speaking to the ancient
Hebrews, but his words are also meant for us. If only we could realize that the
Lord is in our midst.

In today’s gospel, John the
Baptist, the last of the Hebrew prophets is trying to convince the people of
his time that the Lord is coming into their midst. He says,

I
am baptizing you with water,

But
one mightier than I is coming.

I am
not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The crowds ask John what they
should do to prepare for his coming. His words could profit all of us this
Advent. We could begin by sharing with those who have less than we do,
especially in these economic hard times. John’s advice for preparation is not
radical or impossible. He does not recommend that we give up everything; just
that we share.

Consider the two groups who
approach John in today’s reading. Tax collectors and soldiers, better to say
policemen, were two of the most hated groups in Israel. Both were regarded as
agents of the hated Roman conquerors. The tax collectors were notorious for
gouging the people, and the police were noted for bullying and extortion. John
doesn’t say that their occupations are sinful or ignoble. He doesn’t tell them
to give up their careers. He only tells them to act with honesty and justice.

This last year has been an
especially bad one for the rich and famous in our society. How could so many
politicians, entertainers, athletes, and other celebrities who had worked so
hard to get to the top of their respective professions mess up so miserably?
Could it be that the success they sought was not that fulfilling? Could it be
that the possessions they acquired did not make them really happy or joyful?
Maybe they just thought that their success was due to their efforts alone, and
that they failed to see the God in their midst.

We shouldn’t gloat when we
hear their stories. Just because we fly under the media radar doesn’t mean that
we can’t be self-satisfied. Most of us have homes that would be palaces to most
of the world’s people. We have cars for each member of our family, not to
mention TVs, cell phones, and computers. Still, it never seems to be enough.

Here we are only two weeks
before Christmas. What are we looking for this season? What do we want for
ourselves and our loved ones this Christmas? Why are we going out to the malls
and the shopping centers? Aren't we all trying to find happiness? Aren't we all
trying to cast away fear and darkness and bring some joy and light into our
lives? Look at the way we light up our houses, look at the music we hear coming
over the radio.

I recall an article I read
some years ago by a man who was a well known lecturer, TV personality, and
author. He had a beautiful wife and son and was extremely successful. Yet he
wrote, "I am almost 60. Time flies and it scares me. I don't want to die.
I like being in good health. I don't want to be sick and have wires and tubes
and scalpels in me. I like having enough money. I don't want to be old and
poor. I sat in my car...shivering in fear. And then it struck me. I spend too darned
much of my life in fear. I always have. You can't imagine how much of my life I
have thrown away by being a slave to fear."

In today's second reading
from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians he echoes the words of the prophet
Zephaniah and urges his friends to “rejoice in the Lord always.” We should
realize that “the Lord is near,” and that fear and anxiety are not the answer.

Have
no anxiety at all, but in everything,

By
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

Make
your requests known to God.

No one is saying that we
should give up our jobs and our homes but if we can only recognize that all we
have comes form the Lord,